Single mount dock supported hammock

ABSTRACT

A single mount, dock supported hammock frame that is removably securable to a pre-existing dock post. A first end of the hammock frame is configured to pivot about the connection with the dock post and further comprises a hammock support rod connected thereto. A hammock can then be secured to opposing ends of the frame and positioned over a body of water near the dock when in use. The frame rises vertically from the dock and horizontally away from the mounting post to secure a hammock from above the hammock, allowing the hammock to freely swing over the water surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hammocks are usually supported by a framework holding each end of the hammock, with the framework having a plurality of feet, bars or other support structure supporting the framework on solid ground.

There have, been some efforts to attach hammocks to various structures such as automobiles, the side of a home, and to a dock as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,110 which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Such efforts have produced hammocks that are not secure when supporting a person and further that are prone to tipping over or “dumping out” the person in the hammock.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a single mount supported hammock. The hammock may be a single mount dock supported hammock. The hammock is supported by a hammock frame that is removably securable to a dock post which supports a dock along a shoreline. The disclosure is directed to a frame for supporting a hammock from a dock post wherein the frame comprises a first post comprising a first vertical length and a first horizontal length extending outwardly from the first vertical length, wherein a first end of the first vertical length is configured for connection with a pre-existing dock post and a second post comprising a second vertical length and a second horizontal length extending from the second vertical length wherein at least a portion of the second vertical length is secured to first vertical length of the first post. The frame further comprises a first hammock mounting mechanism secured along a proximal length of the second post and a second hammock mounting mechanism secured along a distal length of the second post. The distal end of the first and second horizontal lengths terminate in a connection to one another, where the second hammock mounting may be also positioned.

The frame generally extends upwardly from a connection with the dock post so that the frame extends upwardly from the dock surface and outwardly over the water (depending on the pivoted position selected). Further, at least one of the first horizontal length and second horizontal length may be an arcuate length and overall, the horizontal lengths may be spaced apart but co-extend in the general direction towards an apex where ends of the lengths are connected or terminate at the same point. Thus, the hammock hangs from the frame such that hammock is supported from above, without any frame work or other support below the hammock itself. The hammock can then freely “float” or hang over the water when positioned pivoted away from the dock. While generally referred to as a dock supported hammock throughout this disclosure, the hammock may also be secured to various other structures using the same single mount, where the corresponding post mount is secured to the ground or another structure in a manner similar to a dock as described herein.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of mounting a hammock to a post, such as a dock post or other secured post, and positioning the hammock. The hammock frame as described above is slidably secured to an upright dock post such that the frame is prevented from unwanted vertical movement, but is allowed to pivot about the horizontal axis of the post and frame. The hammock is secured to a first and a second end of the frame respectively and in use, a user pivots the frame to position the hammock near the dock for entry and exit and position the hammock out over the water surface for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the single mount dock supported hammock of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a hammock that is configured to be securely supported and attached to a single boat dock post. The dock post may be positioned on the side or end of a boat dock. The dock post and dock sufficiently distribute the forces created by the weight of an individual in the hammock.

The hammock of the present disclosure can be rotatably secured to various types and styles of existing dock posts. Docks generally comprise a metal frame work and metal dock posts are driven into the lakebed to support the dock. The tops of the dock posts generally extend two to four feet above the top of the deck surface. The hammock frame is configured to be attached to such boat dock posts. Boat dock posts typically use schedule 40 steel posts, and they are typically 1½ inch in diameter. The steel can be galvanized if desired.

A hammock 10 and hammock frame 12 is illustrated generally in FIG. 1. The hammock frame 12 comprises two main components, a hammock to dock mounting post 18 and a hammock support rod 20. The hammock frame 12 including one or both of the mount post 18 and the support rod 20 may be constructed of aluminum or steel pipe. The steel for the hammock support 12 can be galvanized or made from other sturdy materials.

The hammock frame 12 is configured for pivotable attachment to a dock 14 via connection with a dock post 16. The dock mounting post 18 is configured to pivotably secure to the dock 16. A first end 22 of the mounting post 18 is configured to connect with the top of the dock post 16. For example, this connection may be a slidable connection, where the hollow tubing of the dock mounting post allows the dock mounting post 18 to slidably connect with the dock post 16. The connection can also be secured to prevent vertical movement while allowing pivoting about a vertical axis. Once connected, the hammock post 18 and the dock post 16 are engaged and a mechanism such as a lip, edge, clip or other lock 24 may be positioned on one of the dock post 16 and/or the hammock post 18 to prevent vertical movement of the hammock post 18 with respect to the dock 14 and dock post 16. Thus, a selected length of the first end 22, a lower end, of the mounting post 18 connects with a corresponding selected length of the top end, an upper end, of the dock post 16 to secure the hammock post 18 in a substantially vertical position with respect to the dock 14. The selected lengths are limited by the position of the lip, ledge or adjustable position of the lock 24 as selected or set along the length of either the dock post 16 or the mounting post 18. The selected lengths allows the dock post 16 to support the hammock post 18 and the length is sufficient to prevent tipping, pivoting or other unselected movement about a plane of dock surface. This allows the dock post 16 to keep the hammock frame 12 upright and the hammock post 18 as well as the support rod 20 in a generally upright position with respect to the dock 14.

The mounting post 18 may comprise a sleeve that allows for the pivotable connection of the mounting post 18 to the dock post 16. The sleeve may be comprises of a PVC plastic like material in order to prevent fictional rubbing of the aluminum frame with the steel post. Further, the sleeve may be slid onto the post 16 first and configured to rest on a portion of the post 16. The mounting post 18 has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the dock post 16, allowing for slidable connection of the posts, however, the sleeve may have an outer diameter and wall thickness equal to or slightly greater than the mounting post 18 in order to allow the mounting post to rest on the sleeve, thus preventing vertical movement of the sleeve due to gravity. Further, the height of the post 18 and thus the distance between the hammock 10 and the water surface can then be adjustable. The overlapping of the mounting post 18 onto a length of the dock post provides vertical stability to the frame and hammock.

The support rod 14 has a first end 26 having a length 28 that is parallel to and physically secured to a length 30 of the first end 22 of the hammock post 18. This further provides upright stability to the hammock frame 12 as well as allows the hammock 10 to be connected to frame 12. For example, the length 28 of the rod 14 may be welded or otherwise secured to the length 30 of the support post 18.

Overall, the support post 18 and the rod 20 are generally parallel to one another with the support rod 20 spaced apart from the post 18 along a generally horizontal length 32 of the frame 12. For example, the support rod 20 is positioned inside (e.g., below) the mounting post 18. The horizontal length 32 of the frame may be generally curved such that one or both of the support post 18 and/or support rod 20 comprise an arcuate length which would extend over a hammock mounted thereto, however other overall shapes may be used.

While the support rod 20 may be considered positioned below the mounting post 18, both the mounting post 18 and the support rod 20 are positioned to extend upwardly from the dock and over the hammock 10 to connect with the distal end of the hammock 10. Thus, the hammock is supported on its first and second ends, from above the hammock 10.

While the mounting post 18 and support rod 20 are generally parallel, a second (distal) end 34 of the mounting post 18 and a second (distal) end 33 of the support rod 20 converge to connection at an apex 36. At this point, the post 18 and rod 20 may be welded, integrally formed or extruded or otherwise secured. A first end 38 of the hammock 10 is secured to a connecting length 40 of the support rod 20 positioned between the upright length of the rod 20 and generally horizontal or arcuate length of the support rod 20. A second, opposing end 42 of the hammock 12 is then secured to the frame at the apex 36. The hammock may be secured at both ends by various means including hook and latch, carabiner type mechanism or other suitable fastener.

The mounting post 18 is pivotably and removably secured to the pre-existing dock post 16 such that the hammock frame 12 is rotatable about the vertical axis of the posts 18 and 16. Thus, the hammock 10 can be positioned near the dock to allow for a person to get into and out of the hammock 10 and can be swung out over and thus positioned over the water surface.

The hammock frame 12 can then be removed as necessary, for example, in weather conditions adverse to its use or in the winter. However, the frame 12 may be comprised of tubular extrusions or rods of various cross-sectional shapes (e.g. round, cylindrical, square) wherein the frame comprises a post and rod that have a least some length that is hollow. The material of which the frame 12 is constructed may be a metal material such as aluminum or other like materials that are capable of withstanding outdoor conditions and is not prone to rusting.

The hammock frame as described herein may also be configured to mount to posts similar to dock posts such that the hammock may be mounted to a steel post or other metal post that is secured to the ground or to a trailer or other moveable structure. For example, a steel post may be cemented in a ground surface, such as a back yard area, or a post may be mounted to a trailer or other structure, such that the frame as described herein remains pivotably mountable to said post, regardless of the positioning of said steel post.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 

1. A frame for supporting a hammock comprising: a first post comprising a first vertical length and a first horizontal length extending outwardly from the first vertical length, wherein a first end of the first vertical length is configured for connection with a pre-existing dock post; a second post comprising a second vertical length and a second horizontal length extending from the second vertical length wherein at least a portion of the second vertical length is secured to first vertical length of the first post; a first hammock mounting mechanism secured along a proximal length of the second post; and a second hammock mounting mechanism secured along a distal length of the second post; and wherein a distal end of first and second horizontal lengths terminate in a connection to one another.
 2. The frame of claim 1, wherein in at least one of the first horizontal length and second horizontal length is an arcuate length.
 3. The frame of claim 2, wherein the first horizontal length and second horizontal length are spaced apart along at least a portion of the horizontal lengths.
 4. The frame of claim 1, wherein the first post and the second post are metal posts.
 5. The frame of claim 1, wherein the first hammock mounting mechanism and second hammock mounting mechanism are secured to the frame such that a hammock is mounted hanging from and thus below the frame.
 6. The frame of claim 1, wherein the first and second vertical lengths extend upwardly such that horizontal lengths extend from a top end of each respective vertical length.
 7. The frame of claim 1, wherein the first end of the first post is configured for slidable connection with the dock post such that the frame is pivotably connected to the dock post.
 8. The frame of claim 7, wherein the frame is a single mount frame such that the frame is mounted to the dock via only the first end of the first post and wherein the first end of the first post is a lower or bottom end, such that the frame extends upwardly from the dock post and thus upwardly from a dock surface.
 9. A method of securing a hammock to a dock comprising: providing a hammock frame comprising a first and a second post, each post comprising a vertical length and a horizontal length extending outwardly from the vertical length, wherein a first end of the vertical length of the first post is configured for connection with a pre-existing dock post a securing the first post to the dock post; securing a first end of the hammock to a first hammock mounting mechanism positioned along a proximal length of the second post; and securing a second opposing end of the hammock to a second hammock mounting mechanism secured along a distal length of the second post wherein a distal end of first and second horizontal lengths terminate in a connection to one another.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein in the horizontal lengths comprise an arcuate length.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the horizontal lengths are spaced apart along at least a portion of the horizontal lengths such that the horizontal length of the first post is above the horizontal length of the second post.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the hammock frame comprises metal posts.
 13. The frame of claim 8, wherein securing the first and second opposing end of the hammock to the first and second hammock mounting mechanisms comprises hanging the hammock from the mounting mechanism such that the hammock hangs from and thus below the frame.
 14. The frame of claim 8, wherein securing the first post to the dock post comprises positioning the vertical lengths upwardly from connection with the dock post.
 15. The frame of claim 8, wherein the first end of the first post is configured for slidable connection with the dock post such that the frame is pivotably connected to the dock post.
 16. The frame of claim 15, wherein the frame is a single mount frame such that mounting the frame to the dock utilizes only the first end of the first post and wherein the first end of the first post is a lower or bottom end, such that the frame extends upwardly from the dock post and thus upwardly from a dock surface. 